CHIEFS OF ONTARIO BANAC 6 th ANNUAL ABORIGINAL HEALTH FORUM The Need for Transformative Change in the Health System Blue Mountain Inn March 29, 2017
Who is COO? (Chiefs of Ontario) Combined political/technical entity that provides advocacy, coordination and support to 133 First Nations in Ontario in a variety of sectors, including health Health Coordination Unit (technical body) and Ontario Chiefs Committee on Health (political advisory) Political Confederacy Ontario Regional Chief and Grand Chiefs of UOI, GCT3, NAN, AIAI, Six Nations and Akwesasne Mandates extend from Chiefs in Assembly resolutions
Responding to Patients First Act: Background Dec 2015 - Province announced their intentions for LHIN Renewal via the Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario Discussion Paper Dec 21, 2015 - Ontario Health Minister letter to Ontario Regional Chief stating his commitment to meaningfully engage Indigenous partners through parallel bilateral processes and to configure transformative change for First Nations health in Ontario in partnership with First Nations.
Background January 2016 - Political Confederacy provided direction to proceed with First Nation-specific, parallel process in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC), and in conjunction with First Nation Leadership, Health Providers and clients January 28, 2016 Ontario Regional Chief responded to Health Minister supporting parallel process but also citing that existing relationships and initiatives currently underway between First Nations and the Ministry are not impeded Discussions with MOHLTC personnel began in February 2016 with on-going dialogue since this time
What is meant by transformative change? Health transformation = meaningful change within existing and future health systems in Ontario that will respond to the unique needs and requirements of our First Nation citizens and communities
Current Status Patients First Act (previously Bill 41) was passed and received Royal Assent on Dec 8 MOHLTC has affirmed commitment to move forward with transformative change to ensure health system reforms are responsive to unique needs and requirements of First Nations in Ontario COO maintains its commitment to ensure First Nation voices are heard and respected
Moving Forward: What does this mean? Window of opportunity exists for First Nations to gather input and recommendations on how health system can be changed to work better for First Nations In conjunction with First Nation providers and members, COO Health Team developing a First Nation Position Paper on Health intended to assist in identifying current service gaps and challenges; promising practices; and an examination of other First Nation health models across the country
First Nation Health Position Paper First Nation Health Position Paper will identify regional and local priorities Highlight successful health system and governance models in Ontario Recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all solution Final document will consist of First Nation recommendations, based on community engagement
First Nation Engagement Process First Nation Leadership and technicians in process of defining community and regional engagement processes to be conducted throughout 2017/18 fiscal year Focus is on identifying structural changes required make the system more effective for First Nations First Nations across the province have said that the LHIN system does not work and is not responsive to their needs what are options and alternatives?
Analysis First Nations must have a say in how the changes outlined the in Patients First Act will impact them, and what structural changes are required to make the health system in Ontario more responsive and effective for First Nations people.
Next steps Letter sent to Minister Hoskins, early March 2017, from Grand Council Chief Madahbee (regional portfolio holder and Chair) calling for a joint meeting between HealthMinister, himself and Ontario Regional Chief Day Purpose: Assess status of this parallel process and ensure that, as First Nation engagement proceeds, proposed changes will be respected and legislative amendments, should they be required, will be made
Next steps (con t) Additional meeting between Chiefs Committee on Health, Senior MOHLTC Staff and LHIN CEO s Agenda items: Communications Parallel process should not impede inclusion in existing mainstream dialogues and/or other activities First Nations involved in
Chi-meegwetch For further information contact: Lily Menominee-Batise Sr. Health Analyst Tracy Antone COO Health Director lily@coo.org tracy@coo.org